Collapsible crate



April 12, 1927. 1,624,212

J. P. BUTCHER COLLAPSIBLE CRATE Filed Aug. 9, 1923 gnvenl ot Patented Apr. 12, 1927.

UEQITED STATES JOHN I. BUTCHER, OF CANTON, OHIO.

COLLAPSIBLE CRATE.

Application filed August 9, 1823.

This invention relates to shipping crates and more particularly to a collapsible crate especially designed for shipping parcel post packages and the like. and has for its objects to provide a crate of this character comprising a folding frame preferably formed of twisted wire, and provided with a covering of canvas or the like connected thereto and arranged to fold with the frame.

The above and other objects are attained by providing a frame having two rigid sides and two hinged folding sides with means for holding the same in extended position and by providing a bottom formed of two members hingedly connected together and to the lower edges of the rigid sides, a top being provided formed of two similar-memhers arranged to be hingedly connected to the rigid sides of the frame at different points, a canvas cover being connected to the frame and arranged to be folded therewith.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the frame of the crate in the opened or extended position;

Fig. 2, a perspective view of the complete crate in the open position;

Fig. 3. a side elevation of the frame of the crate in the folded position;

Fig. 4, a top view of the crate in folded position;

Fig. 5. a detail perspective view of one of the hinged joints;

Fig. 6, a detail sectional view showing the connection of the canvas 26 to the side frame 1.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawing.

The frame of the crate is preferably formed of twisted wire to give the same combined strength and lightness of weight and includes two rigid side portions each comprising a rectangular frame 1, preferably braced by the cross rods 2 which connect opposite corners thereof.

The rigid frames 1 are connected together by the upper. lower and intermediate pairs of hinged rods 8, each of which is hingedly connected at its outer end to one of the side frames as at 1, each pair of rods being hingedly connected together as at 5.

The intermediate rods 3 are connected to the frame members 1 at points above the Serial No. 856,528.

centers of said frames, in order to permit the bottom to fold inwardly beneath said rods, as will be later described.

A latchG is provided at each hinged joint 5 of the upper rods 3 for the purpose of rigidly holding these rods in extended position. Each of these latches is provided with a pair of spaced ears 7 at one end which are pivotally connected to one of the rods 3 adjacentto the hinged joint 5 thereofas at 8, a similar pair of ears 9 being provided upon the other end of the latch for engagement with the other rod 3 upon the opposite sid of the hinged joint 5 when the crate is in the open position.

The bottom of the frame comprises a pair of similar tJ-sha-ped rods 10 hingedly connected to the lower corners of the rigid frames 1. at their ends. as shown at 11, and hingedly connected together at their central portions, as shown at 12.

The top or lid of the'crate comprises a pair of substantially U-shaped rods 13 and 14, each of which is provided at its ends with the eyes 15 arranged to be engaged in the hooks 16, 17 or 18 which are formed at spaced intervals from the top of the rigid frames 1 to a point near the hinged connections of the intermediate hinged rods 3.

The rod 13 is provided with a loop 19 arranged to receive the eye 20 upon the rod 14 when the crate is in the closed position. a padlock 21 or the like being connected to the eye 20 to hold the lid in this positlon and prevent access to the interior of the crate.

The canvas covering indicated at 21 is connected to the four sides of each rigid frame 1. as shown at 22. and is also preferably connected to the cross bars 2 thereof as shown at 23. This canvas cover is also connected to each of the hinged rods 3 near the outer ends thereof. as show at 24. The bottom frames 10 are also covered with can vas as shown at 25. this canvas covering being arranged to fold inward as the crate is collapsed.

A canvas covering 26 is connected to the edges of each lid portion of the frame and the free end thereof is connected to the inside of the adjacent rigid frame 1, as shown by the dotted line at 27 in Fig. 2. This permits the attachment of the hinged lids to any of the hooks 16, 17 or 18 as may be desired, according to the height of the contents of the crate.

In collapsing the crate, the lid members 13 and 14 are dropped downward inside of the crate and the bottom members 10 are folded upward inside of the crate, while the hinged rods 3 are folded inward, collapsing the crate as shown in Figs. 3 and t.

As best shown in Fig. 2), it will be seen that the intermediate hing-ed rods 3 are located above the center; in order to permit the hinged bottom members 10 to fold upward beneath the same.

When the crate is in the opened or distended position and the latches (3 are moved into operative position, the canvas covering will be stretched taut and the frame h-el d in opened position, permitting the crate to be filled, after which the cover sections 13 and it are attached in the hooks 16, 17 or 18, depending upon the height of the contents of the crate and tie covers are closed and attached together as by the lock 21.

I claim 1. A collapsible crate including two rigid side frame members, rods hingedly connected together and to the side frame members, two bottom members hingedly connected together and to the lower edges of the side frame members, two cover members arranged to be hingedly connected to the side frame members at different heights, means for connecting the free edges of the cover members together and a flexible covering upon the frame arranged to be stretched when the frame is opened.

2. A collapsible crate including two rigid rectangular side frames, rods hingedly connected together and to the side frames, two bottom members hingedly connected to gether and to the lower edges of the side frame members, hooks formed at intervals upon the side frames, two cover members prorided'with eyes for selective engagement with said hooks and a flexible covering upon the frame arranged to be stretched when the frame is opened.

3. A collapsible crate including two rigid rectangular side frames, rods hingedly connected together and to the side frames, two bottom members hingedly connected together and to the lower edges of the side frames, hooks formed upon the side frames, two cover members provided with eyes for engagen'ient with said hooks and a flexible cover upon the frame arranged to be stretched when the frame is opened.

In testimony that I claim' the above, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

JOHN P. BUTCHER. 

